Thread: Help with Anxiety

Originally Posted by warpigs421

Well... it happened. I did it this weekend, first straight razor experience ever under my belt... all I can say is "wow".

First, I want to thank everyone who posted in this thread. Trying something new like this is very intimidating. Everyone who posted had encouraging, yet realistic words. And in this world, that's all anyone can and should expect.

I cannot believe how a straight razor gives feedback when moving blade on the skin. There is definitely an auditory experience as the blade cuts the hair.

Yes, I got a nick. On my chin. How did that happen? Well, the first pass on my left cheek went great. Of course the first pass down wasn't BBS, I didn't expect to be. But, I also didn't dig a WW1 trench in my face either. Cool... So I did the right cheek. No blood letting there either. Double cool... So I started moving down my left cheek, vertical passes towards my chin. Then under my lower lip I got over confident and nicked myself slightly. Then I set the straight down and stopped. I says to myself, I says, "Self," I says, "... don't push this. Take 'er slow." So I rinsed and immediately dried the straight.

Then I finished with my Mach Quadrillion. And you know what? That p.o.s. nicked me twice! WTF??!?!

You's guys should have seen me shaking with that razor in my hand. I'm sure you would have been saying, "Holy <explative>, this guy is going to murder himself."

Ah well. Sorry for the wordy post. I'm giddy, what can I say.

Now, I need to nail the strop... <queue crummy horror music>

Thanks again everyone! I'll report back after my 1st strop... (as if anyone gives a rat's hiney! hahahaha....)

We all give a 'rats hiney.' Thanks for sharing and good luck on the stropping. FYI, i nicked the hell out of my strop, the first few weeks, i started...some dude on here, suggested i just use a high grit sandpaper to buff them out and it worked great.

Peace,

Mac

Originally Posted by warpigs421

You's guys should have seen me shaking with that razor in my hand. I'm sure you would have been saying, "Holy <explative>, this guy is going to murder himself."

We've all been there. After all, as Swiss Toni would say,

Originally Posted by Swiss Toni

Shaving with a straight razor is very much like making love to a beautiful woman... The first time is always nerve-wracking and messy, but once you settle in to the relationship it becomes mundane and predictable. Enjoyable but safe.

Well, I had shave #2 down today. I was still nervous, not quite as bad as the first time.

Stropping was definitely awkward. It's really hard to describe how to do it to someone, who has never done it before.

Man did I burn my skin something fierce. Ouch! I'm still trying to work out my angle. My problem is that I was actually too shallow, then I think went to the extreme and did a wee bit too much exfoliating.

Yep... I got a ways to go yet. But hey, I'm enjoying my 'Man Time'.

For after shaves, I notice a lot of them have rubbing alcohol in them. Doesn't that tend to dry the skin out? Or will alcohol help the burn, and then apply lotion a little bit after that?

Thanks...

Congrats on shave #2.

I always thought the alcohol was there to:

• help prevent infection
• gauge how well the shave technique/razor sharpness is doing
• remind me of the precise location of each nick...
• all or none of the above?

The more you do it, the better it'll get.

Originally Posted by warpigs421

Well, I had shave #2 down today. I was still nervous, not quite as bad as the first time.

Stropping was definitely awkward. It's really hard to describe how to do it to someone, who has never done it before.

Man did I burn my skin something fierce. Ouch! I'm still trying to work out my angle. My problem is that I was actually too shallow, then I think went to the extreme and did a wee bit too much exfoliating.

Yep... I got a ways to go yet. But hey, I'm enjoying my 'Man Time'.

For after shaves, I notice a lot of them have rubbing alcohol in them. Doesn't that tend to dry the skin out? Or will alcohol help the burn, and then apply lotion a little bit after that?

Thanks...

It sounds like you're on your way! Stropping is pretty simple once you get 'the turn' down, a great idea (though one I never tried) is to use a butter knife to practice. The key to it is holding the corners, and not the flat sides of the shank.

As for AS, I really like, and see them mentioned with some regularity, the Nivea AS balms. They're cheap, inoffensive and very effective against razor burn.

I remember my first shave. I was shaking! but now its just another shave I suppose. I am no pro by no means but you will see that a cut isn't as bad as you think. The styptic pencil hurts more than the razor.

The first shave left me sore since it was such a close shave. No problem since.

BTW the chin area IMO is a hard area to work with. You will learn your technique in time.

Good luck and keep your skin pulled tight.